This disclosure provides for routes of synthesis of ,-unsaturated carboxylic acids and their salts, including acrylic acid. For example, disclosed is a process for producing an ,-unsaturated carboxylic acid or its salt, comprising: (1) contacting a group 8-11 transition metal precursor, an olefin, carbon dioxide, a diluent, and a sulfur oxoacid anion-substituted polyaromatic resin or a phosphorus oxoacid anion-substituted polyaromatic resin with associated metal cations to provide a mixture; and (2) applying reaction conditions to the mixture suitable to produce the ,-unsaturated carboxylic acid or a salt thereof. Methods of regenerating the polyaromatic resin with associated metal cations are described.

This disclosure provides for routes of synthesis of ,-unsaturated carboxylic acids and their salts, including acrylic acid. For example, disclosed is a process for producing an ,-unsaturated carboxylic acid or its salt, comprising: (1) contacting a group 8-11 transition metal precursor, an olefin, carbon dioxide, a diluent, and a sulfur oxoacid anion-substituted polyaromatic resin or a phosphorus oxoacid anion-substituted polyaromatic resin with associated metal cations to provide a mixture; and (2) applying reaction conditions to the mixture suitable to produce the ,-unsaturated carboxylic acid or a salt thereof. Methods of regenerating the polyaromatic resin with associated metal cations are described.

Processes for producing a linear internal olefin product include the steps of contacting an olefin feed containing C.sub.10-C.sub.20 vinylidenes and a C.sub.10-C.sub.20 normal alpha olefin and/or C.sub.10-C.sub.20 linear internal olefins, a first acid catalyst, and a C.sub.1 to C.sub.18 carboxylic acid to form a first reaction product containing linear internal olefins, trisubstituted olefins, and secondary esters, then removing all or a portion of the secondary esters from the first reaction product, followed by contacting the secondary esters and a second acid catalyst to form a second reaction product comprising linear internal olefins, and then removing all or a portion of the linear internal olefins from the second reaction product to form the linear internal olefin product. Linear alkanes subsequently can be produced by hydrogenating the linear internal olefin product to form a linear alkane product.

Processes for producing a linear internal olefin product include the steps of contacting an olefin feed containing C.sub.10-C.sub.20 vinylidenes and a C.sub.10-C.sub.20 normal alpha olefin and/or C.sub.10-C.sub.20 linear internal olefins, a first acid catalyst, and a C.sub.1 to C.sub.18 carboxylic acid to form a first reaction product containing linear internal olefins, trisubstituted olefins, and secondary esters, then removing all or a portion of the secondary esters from the first reaction product, followed by contacting the secondary esters and a second acid catalyst to form a second reaction product comprising linear internal olefins, and then removing all or a portion of the linear internal olefins from the second reaction product to form the linear internal olefin product. Linear alkanes subsequently can be produced by hydrogenating the linear internal olefin product to form a linear alkane product.

In one aspect, catalytic membranes are described herein. In some embodiments, a catalytic membrane comprises a surface functionalized with a polymer, the polymer comprising cellulose solubilization functionalities and acid functionalities for the catalytic hydrolysis of cellulose and/or hemicellulose.

In one aspect, catalytic membranes are described herein. In some embodiments, a catalytic membrane comprises a surface functionalized with a polymer, the polymer comprising cellulose solubilization functionalities and acid functionalities for the catalytic hydrolysis of cellulose and/or hemicellulose.

A process for producing xylenes, in particular para-xylene that is less energy intensive than conventional processes is provided. In an embodiment the process comprises contacting a feed mixture in an isomerization zone with a catalyst at isomerization conditions and producing an isomerized product comprising a higher proportion of p-xylene than in the feed mixture, wherein the catalyst comprises an acidic sulfonated catalytic membrane. Xylene isomerization can also be coupled with a p-xylene extraction process, where the raffinate (p-xylene deprived stream) from the extraction process is fed to an isomerization reactor to produce p-xylene. In an embodiment, the process can comprise: a) providing a feed stream comprising a mixture of xylene isomers including p-xylene; b) extracting p-xylene from the feed stream using a separator to separate the feed stream into a p-xylene rich stream and a p-xylene deprived stream; and c) delivering the p-xylene deprived stream to an isomerization unit, the isomerization unit including an acidic sulfonated catalytic membrane, and using the isomerization unit to produce an isomerized product comprising a higher proportion of p-xylene than in the p-xylene deprived stream delivered to the isomerization unit. In any one or more aspects, the isomerization unit can be operated at a temperature in the range of less than 350, for example about 20 C. to about 200 C.

A process for producing xylenes, in particular para-xylene that is less energy intensive than conventional processes is provided. In an embodiment the process comprises contacting a feed mixture in an isomerization zone with a catalyst at isomerization conditions and producing an isomerized product comprising a higher proportion of p-xylene than in the feed mixture, wherein the catalyst comprises an acidic sulfonated catalytic membrane. Xylene isomerization can also be coupled with a p-xylene extraction process, where the raffinate (p-xylene deprived stream) from the extraction process is fed to an isomerization reactor to produce p-xylene. In an embodiment, the process can comprise: a) providing a feed stream comprising a mixture of xylene isomers including p-xylene; b) extracting p-xylene from the feed stream using a separator to separate the feed stream into a p-xylene rich stream and a p-xylene deprived stream; and c) delivering the p-xylene deprived stream to an isomerization unit, the isomerization unit including an acidic sulfonated catalytic membrane, and using the isomerization unit to produce an isomerized product comprising a higher proportion of p-xylene than in the p-xylene deprived stream delivered to the isomerization unit. In any one or more aspects, the isomerization unit can be operated at a temperature in the range of less than 350, for example about 20 C. to about 200 C.

A method for producing a dicyclopentadiene-modified phenolic resin. The method including reusing a fluorine-based ion-exchange resin as a catalyst in a reaction between a phenol and a dicyclopentadiene, the fluorine-based ion-exchange resin having been used as a catalyst when a phenol and a dicyclopentadiene are allowed to react with each other to produce a first dicyclopentadiene-modified phenolic resin. In the method, the fluorine-based ion-exchange resin is washed with an organic solvent. The dicyclopentadiene-modified phenolic resin obtained by the method has a stable quality, has a high purity, and is inexpensive.

Disclosed herein is a simple process for functionalization/grafting of carbon microspheres obtained from bagasse with various active functional groups onto it and use of the same as catalyst for various organic reactions, having very high selectivity and conversion rate.